The parliamentary standing committee on Ministry of Home Affairs has apprehended that Rohingya crisis could be ‘prolonged’. Therefore, the government must take decisions keeping the matter in mind, the committee also observed.
The above apprehension was made at the 18th meeting of parliamentary standing committee on Home Ministry, presided over by committee chairman Tipu Munshi, held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday.
Apart from recommending special measures for the Rohingya orphans and pregnant women on humanitarian grounds, the JS body in the meeting further suggested the government to tackle the overall relief and rehabilitation activities engaging all disciplined forces.
“The JS body thinks, Rohingya crisis could be prolonged. Although a Myanmar minister after visiting Bangladesh said that Rohingya problem to be solved shortly, there are many barriers. If the crisis is established as a bilateral issue in the future, we think the stance of world community will be changed at that time,” committee chairman Tipu Munshi said.
“For that reason, the JS body asked the government to take long-standing decisions and plan programmes. Besides, the JS body recommended the government for quick implementation of some decisions in this regard,” he said.
At present, the members of 10 Infantry Division stationed at Ramu Cantonment are working to bring the relief distribution among around 600,000 new Rohingyas in coordination with the local civil administration.
Urging to accelerate biometric registration works of Rohingya refugees, the JS body in the meeting directed the authorities concerned to ensure good atmosphere so that the registration programme could be completed in shortest possible time.
At present, the progress of biometric registration is very slow. So far 45000-50000 new Rohingyas have registered their names under biometric technology till the day.
Referring the issue, chairman of the Committee Tipu Mushi said: “To stop spread of Rohingyas, the JS body asked the authorities concerned not to issue tickets of bus or launches to the Rohingya people without verifying the National Identity Cards.”
“Not only that, long-standing steps are also needed for the rehabilitation of Rohingyas. The JS body thinks, there are many things for consideration before shifting of Rohingyas to another place,” he said.
Officials said government has planned to shit Rohingyas to Thengar Char. At present, the majority of new Rohingya people are staying at Balukhali and Kutupalong camps.
In the JS body meeting, Director General of Ansar and VDP Major General Sheikh Pasha Habib Uddin recommended to form an archive with a view to storing news clippings, articles, paper cuttings, photographs and all documented decisions relating to Rohingya people.
“It will be very helpful. The future generation of Bangladesh could take lesson from the archive,” the DG Ansar and VDP told the meeting.
The parliamentary committee also asked the ministry concerned to take initiatives for the visit of a parliamentary team to Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar district to see the condition in their own eyes.
Members of the committee, including Home Minister Asaduzzamn Khan Kamal, Md Mozammel Hossain, Md Shamshul Haque Tuku, Md Faridul Haque Khan, Abu Sayed Al Mahmud Swapan, Fakhrul Imam and Begum Quamrun Nahar Chowdhury were present in the meeting.
